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I think pizza is the most popular dish around the world.

Most people think pizza has Italian origins and this is mostly true, but the dish may have some very ancient roots, indeed. The Persians were probably the first to put vegetables on large slices of bread and it appears they introduced the ancient Greeks to the practice . This dish became then popular all over the Mediterranean, but it was only during the nineteenth century that a baker from Naples, Raffaele Esposito,   finally baked what we call pizza today, with tomato sauce. In 1889, on the occasion of the visit of the Royal Italian couple, he made a pizza called Margherita in honour of the queen.

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The Problem of Population Ageing in Italy

The future strength of a country is dependent upon its population, but what happens if a country cannot rely upon future generations? This is the question being raised in Italy, where population ageing is creating fears for the county's destiny.

The so-called processo di invecchiamento, ageing process, and its effects on the structure of the Italian population is currently in the spotlight. Some studies report that the continued ageing of the population is effecting the health of the country as a whole.

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Sex and Italians

Cultural differences are evident in many areas of a society - lifestyle, values, ways of socializing. Sex and the way it is experienced can also be indicative of these differences.

Differences in the way in which sex is thought of are evident on a national as well as an international scale. So while, of course, it is not possible to say that all Italians think the same way about sex, it is possible to outline some of the generalities about how sex is seen by individuals and in Italian society.

How do Italians feel about sex

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I have lived in the US now for over 20 years. I still go four times a year to Italy so my taste buds have remained pretty much Italian so I had to find a reliable methods to distinguish authentic Italian restaurants from the others -- I will call them "Italian-American" -- which I dislike.

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Travelling in Europe by train? Before you embark on exploring your chosen city, take a moment to savour its first port of call.

In Europe, each and every step you take is steeped in history and art, even something as mundane as train stations, sometimes are true pieces of art and high end architecture in their own right. Here is a list of some of the most artistic train stations you may come across on the Old Continent:

Click here for a gallery of European train station pictures

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The Rainbow Magic Land: A Great Destination for Families Near Rome

Rome is one of those cities that offer a lot for adults, including monuments, tradition and a whole lot of history. This year, however, the Eternal City is also proving itself to be an ideal destination for families. Parents with children who have been subjected to hours of touring, museums and historical sites can make their little ones happy by heading to Rainbow Magic Land. Situated in Valmontone, a town about 30 minutes from Rome, the amusement park will delight children of all ages.

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Italians gossiping

Si dice- Mi hanno detto- ma lo sai che??- Non lo sai?? (people say-I was told- do you know that?-don't you know that?). These are the most common expressions used by Italians when they start gossiping. Some studies carried out at the University of California (which one?) and published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology showed that gossiping helps people to feel better as it lowers their levels of stress.

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Some common standardized images Italians want to overcome

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Legagate: the Lega Nord Scandal

After several years of accusations against the honesty of the State capital, famously christened Roma ladrona, 'Rome the thief',  by some of its leaders, the Lega Nord finally showed its true colors in what can only be considered Italy's own Legagate.

Those who still believed in the party's integrity and honesty were bitterly disappointed  when it emerged some members of the Lega Nord embezzled party funds.

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Diabetes mellitus type 2

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